Find Top Urologists Near You in Tampa, FL

Do you endure frequent urine leakage? Are you experiencing a persistent feeling of pressure, heaviness, or lower abdominal pain? Do you have erectile dysfunction, difficulty urinating, or blood in urine? Any of these symptoms may mean you have a urological problem and should see a urologist. 

In the Tampa Bay area, you can find top urologists at Advanced Urology Institute, Westchase office.

What is a urologist?

A urologist is a surgical specialist who diagnoses and treats problems of the male reproductive system and the urinary tracts of both males and females. The doctor tackles conditions of the urinary bladder, kidneys, ureter, adrenal glands, urethra, and male reproductive organs—the testes, vas deferens, epididymis, seminal vesicles, prostate, and penis.

You may need to see a urologist when referred by your primary physician, usually after symptoms persist for a long duration or fail to improve. But you can also go directly to a urologist when you have a recurrent need to urinate urgently, difficulty urinating, weak urine flow, dribbling, urinary leakage, and burning pain or sensation during urination.

Pain in your lower back, pelvis, or sides and the presence of blood in the urine are also reasons to see a urologist. If you’re a man, you may need to see a urologist if there is a decrease in sexual desires, a lump in one of your testicles, trouble getting and keeping an erection, or if you want to undergo a vasectomy.

Conditions treated by urologists include:

  1. Urinary incontinence
  2. Urinary tract infections
  3. Enlarged prostate
  4. Bladder prolapse, painful bladder, and overactive bladder
  5. Kidney or ureteral stones
  6. Erectile dysfunction and
  7. Male infertility
  8. Peyronie’s disease
  9. Urethral stricture
  10. Undescended testes (cryptorchidism)
  11. Interstitial cystitis (painful bladder syndrome)
  12. Kidney disease
  13. Urologic oncology, such as prostate, kidney, testicular, and bladder cancer
  14. Varicoceles (enlarged veins in the scrotum)

What should you expect your urologist to do for you?

Your urologist will examine your medical history and conduct a physical examination. They will order a basic urine test to check for bacteria or other signs of disease. This may be followed by imaging tests, such as MRI scans, ultrasound, or CT scans to locate the problem.

In some cases, the physician will do a cystoscopy—a medical imaging procedure that enables the doctor to examine the inside of your urinary tract. During cystoscopy, the urologist may collect some tissue samples for testing. Urodynamic testing may also be run to indicate how fast urine leaves your body, the amount of urine that is left in your bladder after urinating, and the pressure in your bladder.

After diagnosis, your urologist may opt for different treatment methods depending on the condition. For instance, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat infections, hormone treatment for prostate cancer, chemotherapy drugs for cancer, PDE-5 inhibitors like Tadalafil and Cialis for erectile dysfunction, and other medication to act on the smooth muscles of your bladder to treat urinary incontinence.

When necessary, your urologist may perform surgery to remove a tumor, strictures in the urethra, parts of the kidney, kidney stones, or to relieve stress incontinence. The surgical treatment of choice may be open, laparoscopic, robotic, or laser therapy. Urologists are also responsible for carrying out vasectomy—a surgical procedure for permanent contraception in men.

So how do you find a top urologist in Tampa, Florida?

The easiest way is to speak with your primary care physician to refer you to a good urologist. You can also talk with your family, friends, and coworkers about the best urologists they have seen for treatment. Having recommendations from people you know can help you choose a urologist that suits your needs.

Whether you learn about a urologist from your doctor, acquaintances, or online, you should find out more about the experience and skill level of the doctor before a procedure. A quick indicator of competence is board certification, as it shows the training and expertise of the doctor.

When you are persuaded that a particular urologist may be ideal for you, schedule a visit. It is during the visit that you can ask questions and appreciate the physician’s perspective. It is wise to choose a urologist who speaks openly and candidly with you and who can freely explain to you in detail the procedure you seek and any of its risks and complications.

You should also confirm before the visit that your insurance provider will cover the cost of the services and any treatment you may need.

Notable urologists in Tampa, Florida

One reputable urologist in Tampa is Dr. Yaser Bassel. Based at the Advanced Urology Institute Westchase office, Dr. Bassel is a professional, friendly, board-certified surgeon with years of experience diagnosing and treating urinary incontinence, prostate enlargement, kidney stones, and urologic cancers, among other problems.

His expertise in minimally invasive surgical procedures, including the da Vinci robotic system, makes him one of the most sought-after surgeons by patients with prostate, bladder, and other urologic cancers. 

Dr. Brian D. Hale is another board-certified urologist at the Advanced Urology Institute Westchase office. With his knowledge and experience in laparoscopy and hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy, Dr. Hale achieves excellent results treating male and female urinary tract conditions.

He is a specialist in resolving recurrent urinary tract infections, kidney stones, bladder and prostate cancer, and other genitourinary disorders. Being one of the more experienced surgeons in Florida in conducting radical perineal prostatectomy, you can rely on Dr. Hale to speedily and accurately diagnose and treat prostate cancer.

When you want a doctor in Tampa who will listen to you, explain all the options, and answer all your questions before recommending treatment, you can also see Dr. Amar J. Raval at the Advanced Urology Institute Westchase office. A caring and knowledgeable physician, he is highly skilled in tackling urinary conditions and urinary stone removal. He regularly performs minimally invasive robotic surgery, laparoscopy, endoscopy, and open surgery for various urologic disorders.

A culture of excellence

Advanced Urology Institute has a well earned reputation for medical expertise, the most up-to-date equipment, and a culture of excellence. Through innovation and collaboration, AUI continues to be recognized for offering leading-edge, multidisciplinary, and patient-centered care.

At AUI, Westchase office in Tampa, Florida, we offer treatments for bladder cancer, prostate cancer, male and female urinary incontinence, bladder reconstruction, erectile dysfunction, female sexual dysfunction, renal carcinoma, urinary stone management, and robotic laparoscopic surgery, among others. We continually enhance our diagnosis and treatment techniques to guarantee better success rates for our patients.

The Enjoyment of Being a Urologist

Urology is a wonderful specialty, being at the same time a surgical and medical practice. It offers an interesting mix of work in both the office and the operating room.

“For many of us, we enjoy spending time in the operating room—after all, we are surgeons by trade,” says Dr. Scott B. Sellinger, FACS, a board-certified urologist at Advanced Urology Institute. “But for many of us, we also enjoy interactions with our patients in the office. I love to see my folks, especially the ones I’ve been seeing for the past 25 years. They come back every year and we can chat about all kinds of things.”

Interesting surgical techniques

While most urology patients are followed long-term with medical interventions, at least half of them are surgical patients. The subspecialty of urology offers great opportunities to practice the surgical side of the profession, which includes the hands-on application of the latest technology, such as robots and lasers. “I enjoy the surgical side of our profession, and urology offers innovative techniques and technology that makes surgical procedures even more interesting,” says Dr. Sellinger.

Long-term relationships

The opportunity to build lasting doctor-patient relationships makes urology gratifying.

“As a urologist, you get to care for the entire spectrum of age groups of patients, such as children with congenital problems and patients in their declining years, when a lot of urologic problems tend to set in.” says Dr. Sellinger. “I like the fact that I see different patients every day, delve into their emotional problems, and with empathy, provide the support and solutions they need. I also enjoy speaking with the patients I see every year for several years since every time they come in they have something great to share,” he adds.

Tackling embarrassing problems

Urology brings relief to patients with personal and sometimes embarrassing medical problems. Through surgery, medications or both, urologists resolve these issues and improve the quality of life of their patients, which is quite appealing.

“As a urologist, not only do I treat life-threatening conditions like cancer, I also improve the quality of life of patients by freeing them from sexual dysfunction or incontinence,” says Dr. Sellinger.

Great outcomes

Unlike some other specialties, the treatments offered by urologists often provide quick relief and good outcomes. In fact, most patients treated by urologists do well and get better.

“Nowadays, urology is quite advanced, and we have at our disposal medicines, surgery, and the combination of both treatments that render our patients improved soon after they interact with us,” says Dr. Sellinger. “So we feel satisfied and secure in the knowledge that we can solve most, if not all, of the urologic problems,” he adds.

Because of consistently great results, urologists are held in high regard by their patients, who are usually grateful for the care. In turn, this gives a kind of satisfaction to urologists.

“I am happy that I chose urology. I’m always filled with joy every time patients come back to thank me for what I’ve achieved for them,” says Dr. Sellinger. “If I were to start all over again, I would still choose to become a urologist.”

Personalized, compassionate care

Want to have your urological problem treated by an effective urologist? AUI is a medical group with a long history of providing comprehensive, high-quality care. The urologists at AUI find it a joy to work in an environment that brings out the best of their knowledge and experience for the benefit of their patients.

Whether you have kidney, urinary tract, prostate, pelvic or other urological needs, at AUI you will find a urologist who can deliver the right treatment for you. For more information on the diagnosis and treatment of urological conditions, visit the Advanced Urology Institute website.

Becoming a Physician Assistant – Chelsie Ferrell, PA-C

A successful medical team has several positions. One of these positions is the physician assistant. Also referred to as a PA, a physician assistant is a trained medical professional whose education takes less time to complete than a doctor’s. Chelsie Ferrell, PA remembers the first time she shadowed another physician assistant and decided it was the career for her. According to Chelsie, “I met a really great PA and loved her job, and I fell in love with the profession.” After becoming a PA, her career path led her to urology.

Urology is a specialized medical field that focuses primarily on the male and female urinary systems and the male reproductive system. Because of how many different organs are involved in the urinary system, urology covers a wide range of medical issues for both men and women.

Chelsie Ferrell, PA of DeLand, FLOne reason men see a urologist is to check for prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer that affects men. As they age and their likelihood of developing the disease increases, regular prostate cancer screenings by a urologist become increasingly important. If cancer is found, the urologist will discuss treatment options with the patient. Some non-aggressive cases can be treated simply by monitoring the cancer. Others cases may need to be treated with surgery or radiation therapy.

For women, urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common reason to see a urologist. UTIs are infections that flare up in any part of the urinary system, including the kidneys, bladder or urethra. Symptoms can vary between patients, with the most common symptoms being intense pain, frequent need for urination, nausea and vomiting. Although easily treated with antibiotics, UTIs are known to be a recurring problem for some women.

Physician Assistants are important urology team members who help doctors and patients as they work together to achieve the best possible outcome in medical care. They have the satisfaction of knowing that the work they do can make a positive change in a patient’s life. Their work can even be life-saving when it results in the early detection of prostate cancer. The Advance Urology Institute relies on committed staff members like Chelsie Ferrell, PA to provide quality patient care.

Becoming a Urologist – Dr. Howard Epstein MD

To become a urologist, one must really be committed to both people and study! First, students have to be top high school students. Then they go to a college or university to study the subjects needed before attending a graduate-level medical school.

Medical School

After completing the required subject courses, students take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and complete medical school applications. Applicants then must pass face-to-face interviews with professors who are medical doctors and have just one question: “Would I want this person to be my doctor?”

Once admitted to medical school, the future urologist can look forward to a program that will last at least four years, including grueling residency requirements and more exams. Upon completing exams, the student is a doctor, but merely graduating from medical school does not make a urologist!

Urology Studies

Howard Epstein, MD of St Augustine, FLThere is yet another exam called the American Board of Urology (ABU) Qualifying Examination, Part 1. Then the future urologist must complete five more years of schooling and residency practice. During this time, the new doctor must learn general surgery, surgical critical care, trauma, colorectal surgery, transplantation and plastic/reconstructive surgery. Also during this time, at least four years of clinical urology training are required. After all of that has been completed, the doctor must pass the ABU Certifying Exam (Part II) to become an ABU certified urologist.

There are a few medical programs that can shorten this process of nine years of graduate school, but they are not accepted in every state.

Re-certification as a urologist must occur every ten years. To continue as a licensed medical doctor, one must do a certain amount of continuing education credits each year. The learning never ends.

Urologists must learn how to examine and treat a large number of different disorders. They work with all kinds of diseases and injuries related to the urinary tract. The urinary tract includes the kidneys, ureters, the adrenal glands, the related arteries and veins, the bladder and the urethra. Urology also includes the male reproductive system, which means urologists also treat issues concerning erectile dysfunction.

The urinary tract is one of the most important parts of the body. It regulates which chemicals, vitamins, minerals and gasses go to every part of the body. While the urinary tract does not regulate what goes into the body, it does regulate what comes out, at least as urine, and ensures that blood composition is just right.

Dr. Howard Epstein

Dr. Howard Epstein did not have a traditional course of undergraduate studies for medical school. His first university degrees were a dual-major in electrical engineering and business administration. From friends who were in medical school, he discovered that he was more interested in their work than in the fields for which he had degrees, so he went back to school.

Dr. Epstein has been practicing medicine since 1984. He is a board certified urologist with the American Board of Urology, a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the American Urological Association. He is also with the Florida Urologic Association. Serving as the chief of urology at the Gainesville Veteran Administration Medical Center increased his awareness of the unique needs of American veterans. He currently practices medicine at the Advanced Urology Institute’s two offices in St Augustine, Florida at the Southpark and Tuscan locations. To contact Dr. Epstein or for more information, visit the Advanced Urology Institute website.

Becoming a Urologist with Amar Raval, MD

A urologist plays an important role in healthcare. The field of urology encompasses many issues that people face throughout their lives, especially as they start to age. As urologist Dr. Amar Raval notes, urology allows him the opportunity to “provide a service to others.” As a urologist he gets to make a positive impact on his patients’ lives by helping them with many of the common issues that prompt people to seek medical help.

Dr. Amar Raval from Palm Harbor, FLOne common problem is kidney stone disease. Kidney stones form for a variety of different reasons. They are particularly common in warm climates, like Florida. Symptoms can vary, but they include severe abdominal pain, nausea, fever, chills, difficulty urinating or blood in the urine. Kidney stones can be very painful and some people need assistance to pass them. A urologist can assess the stones and determine the best way to remove them. In some cases, experienced urologists can break up the stones using a shock wave treatment that is totally noninvasive.

Urologists also frequently see cases of prostate cancer, one of the most common cancers for men. The disease comes in many different forms, making each case unique. While some need to be treated with surgery, chemotherapy or radiation, other forms are non-aggressive and can be left alone. Urologists also may recommend cutting-edge technologies like HIFU. Whatever the diagnosis, it is important to work with your urologist to monitor your prostate and find the best treatment plan for you.

Urinary incontinence is a common problem that many patients are embarrassed to discuss with their doctor. A urologist deals with many patients experiencing urinary incontinence and is accustomed to having in-depth conversations with their patients about incontinence. They know how to discuss the problem with patients so they feel comfortable while also finding the underlying issue causing the incontinence. Whether it is caused by stress, infection, lifestyle or another issue, a urologist can find the best solution and help a patient maintain a healthy and confident life.

There are countless other issues that bring patients to see a urologist for help. Dr. Amar Raval at the Advanced Urology Institute is one of many dedicated urologists improve their patients’ quality of life. For more information, visit the Advanced Urology Institute website.

What Do Physician Assistants Do? – Mikhail Lezhak, PA

Ask Mikhail Lezhak what physician assistants do and you may be surprised by the answer. In the past, all professional medical care was performed by doctors and nurses. But doctors and nurses often spent a lot of time doing repetitive work that limited the time they had to focus on their specialty.

Mikhail Lezhak, Physician AssistantPhysician assistants, especially those in urology, may be called upon to do any of these things to assist the doctor:

  • Patient history checks, both directly with the patient and with recorded medical records. They will review records and update records. Based on what they learn, they will brief their supervising physicians about anything noteworthy
  • Perform physical exams. They can do the basic exams, but they also are trained to spot symptoms that require more advanced medical care
  • Order and interpret basic laboratory tests
  • For many relatively minor types of injuries, they may be qualified to handle the direct treatment
  • Assist surgeons doing surgical procedures
  • Perform minor surgical procedures, including suturing (making stitches); immunizations and injections; setting up, monitoring and removing intravenous feeds
  • Perform preoperative and postoperative care, including managing infection prevention
  • Prescribe medications as permitted
  • Provide patient counseling on medical issues, including self-care and follow-up
  • Set up health management plans and diets
  • Assist in maintaining a healthy, safe and sanitary healthcare environment, in accordance with health laws, regulations and accepted medical practices
  • Help maintain the proper stocks of medical supplies
  • Work with administrators and administrative staff to assure a more smoothly operating medical care environment

Essentially, PAs perform tasks that free up their supervising doctors for more difficult and complicated health issues. If this job sounds a lot like what nurses do, you are right. There is considerable overlap of responsibilities within medical communities.

In Florida, physician assistants do have a limited ability to prescribe and dispense medications. The ability for PAs to prescribe drugs is based on a written agreement between the PAs and their supervising board-certified doctors. That written agreement must have the following:

  • Effective for only five years, whereupon a new license is required
  • Requires the PA to take 10 continuing medical education credits before each license renewal period, including three hours about safe and effective prescribing of controlled substances
  • Only effective with that one PA-doctor agreement; it must be remade if the supervising doctor changes
  • Filed with the Florida Board of Medicine

There are some drugs that a PA cannot prescribe. For example, a PA working in urology cannot prescribe many of the same drugs that a PA working in psychiatry would prescribe, and vice-versa. Thus, there is local accountability for physician assistants within Florida about how they handle drugs.

Supervising doctors may have their PAs handle such duties as researching new medical device company products and keep the doctors advised on new drug formularies. PAs may be asked to scan medical journals for interesting issues as well as follow interesting and related legal cases involving their profession. They may help in medical research.

Just like nurses and nurse practitioners, PAs help the system run more smoothly by letting those who specialize spend more time on their side of the practice. The doctors can function more professionally as medical experts, and administrators can spend more time working with business management.

When you see Mikhail Lezhak, PA, at Advanced Urology Institute, you are seeing someone who has a wealth of training and experience in many of the same functions performed by a licensed medical doctor. Rest assured that your doctor still has you in good hands when your visit is with a medical professional who is a PA. For more information about physician assistants, visit the Advanced Urology Institute website.

How Did Janelle Bunce, PA Become a Physician Assistant?

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • Physician assistants play an important and involved role in patient care, and can complete their degree programs in as few as six years.
  • Physician assistants in urology can address a variety of medical issues, such as urinary incontinence, kidney stones, vaginal prolapse, and overactive bladder, assisting doctors in treating a wide range of conditions.
  • Janelle Bunce, PA is a dedicated physician assistant in urology who began assisting doctors within six years of starting her degree program and enjoys working with a team of healthcare professionals to ensure top-notch patient care.

The field of medicine offers many opportunities for people who want to dedicate their lives to helping others. With hard work and study, almost anyone with a desire to work in healthcare can achieve that dream. One growing role in this field is that of the physician assistant who plays an important and involved role in patient care.

Unlike doctors, who spend up to a decade or longer in training, physician assistants can complete their degree programs in as few as six years. This makes earning credentials and beginning a rewarding career less costly and achievable in less time.

Janelle Bunce, PA from Naples, FLAlthough they may not be doctors, physician assistants have some of the most important jobs in healthcare and carry a great deal of responsibility. They assist with surgeries, see patients independently and take an active role in decision making with the doctors. They are an important part of the patient experience and share in the satisfaction of participating in overall patient care.

Physician assistants in the field of urology address a variety medical issues. From urinary incontinence, kidney stones and vaginal prolapse to an overactive bladder, a physician assistant in the specialization of female urology can assist doctors in treating a wide range of conditions while creating lasting relationships with their patients.

One physician assistant who is enjoying a rewarding career in urology is Janelle Bunce, PA. The educational requirements made it possible for her to begin assisting doctors within six years of beginning the required degree program. Janelle enjoys working with a team of nurses and doctors to ensure that her patients receive top-notch care. Her story and success are an inspiration to anyone with a desire to pursue a career in medicine.

Dedicated urology physician assistants, like Janelle Bunce, PA can be found providing excellent patient care every day at the Advanced Urology Institute. For more information, visit the Advanced Urology Institute website or make an appointment for a consultation today.

TRANSCRIPTION: 

My name is Janelle Bunce, I’m a physician assistant with Advanced Urology Institute.

I was a single mother actually and I started college when my daughter was six weeks old and physician assistant field was a place in medicine that you could advance pretty far. We can assist with surgery, we can see patients independently and yet it wasn’t a prolonged education where I needed to be in school ten to twelve years, it was six and a half years. 

I have a masters degree so I started my undergrad degree in biology and then went on to the PA program which was a masters of medical science. I decided to be a physician assistant because this is an area that we can help people from birth to death. In particular urology has a lot to do with quality of life. I like that it’s a nice mix of autonomy but also there’s always a supervising physician that we can bounce ideas against and we work together as a team with our supervising physician.

REFERENCES: 

Becoming a Physician Assistant with Quynh-Dao Tonnu, PA-C

While certified physician assistants (PA-C) are not the same as American Medical Association board-certified medical doctors, they are competent medical professionals. Physician assistants often go into medicine later in life, having already worked in other occupations.

Quynh-Dao Tonnu, PA-CCertified physician assistants go through a rigorous graduate-level training program that takes more than two years to complete. The degree program must be accredited by both the Committee on Allied Health, Education and Accreditation, and the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant. After successful completion of the academic portions, the graduates must pass the national Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam. The final stages include formal application with the Florida Board of Medicine and completion of 2,000 hours (about one year) of supervised clinical practice.

Physician assistants are important within medical practices because they relieve the physicians of much of the routine workload. They take medical histories and, because of their medical training and experience, they are able to notice when a patient has a special issue the primary physician should be aware of. They can understand medical histories written by other medical professionals and understand their patients’ backgrounds. For example, some fad diets can seriously affect a person’s digestive system, kidneys, urinary tract and bladder. An experienced PA knows when to ask patients if they have been on such diets.

With a solid understanding of pharmaceutical medicine, physician assistants can prescribe medications or recommend that the physician prescribe certain types of medications. PAs also approve prescription refills according to the physician’s practice and standard medical guidelines. If a patient has questions about how and when to take medications, PAs can give that information.

Quynh-Dao Tonnu, PA-C started her post-secondary education at the University of Florida, where she received her BA in Economics in 2005. Later in 2007, she completed a master’s degree at the University of South Florida in Library and Information Science. After that, she worked in hedge fund accounting, which she found interesting but not very personally fulfilling. In 2014, she changed occupations to become a medical assistant. She realized her most fulfilling job experiences involved working with people, so she went back to school and obtained her Physician Assistant degree in 2017. She has been working in urology for three years and is now fully certified. You can meet this talented PA at the Advanced Urology Institute Oxford office. For more information, visit the Advanced Urology Institute website.

Why Urology? with Dr. Bill Vanasupa

Becoming a doctor in any field of medicine requires a great deal of dedication and determination. Students wishing to become physicians put in long hours studying for tests and preparing for classes and internships. After graduating, many new doctors find their profession leaves little time for a personal life with friends and family. Their dedication to patient care can cause a difficult work-life balance.

Dr. Billy VanasupaDr. Bill Vanasupa thought he wanted to be a family practice doctor, seeing and growing with the same patients throughout his career. However, when he was an intern he discovered that although family practice is rewarding in its own way, it was not the right choice for him. When he assisted in surgery as part of his training, he discovered an aspect of medical care that he felt was his calling.

However, Dr. Vanasupa also knew about the challenges of practicing in certain fields of surgery, and he found himself considering where he could best serve patients with both surgical and non-surgical treatments.
As luck would have it, Dr. Vanasupa had a friend in college whose father was a urologist. He spoke to his friend’s father and a career in urology seemed like a good fit for him. Urology would allow him to create lifelong relationships with patients while also performing surgeries and keeping a desired work-life balance. By assisting patients with their urology problems, Dr. Vanasupa has the opportunity to create great patient relationships that last for years.

Today, Dr. Vanasupa is living his dream at Advanced Urology Intstitute by helping people by offering the most advanced medicine and surgical techniques available in the medical field of urology.

How Did Dr. Rolando Rivera Become a Urologist?

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • Urology is a challenging and diverse medical specialty, covering a broad range of issues such as urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, vaginal prolapse, kidney stones, and pelvic surgery.
  • Urologists have the opportunity to build long-lasting relationships with their patients and provide patient-specific treatments, creating a primary care type relationship that is rare in specialty medicine.
  • Dr. Rolando Rivera is a dedicated urologist who enjoys the ever-changing field of urology, aiming to improve the quality of life for his patients by providing the best care possible.

Becoming a doctor in any field requires a great deal of dedication and determination. Medical school is known for its years of hard work, difficult tests, internships and endless nights of studying. The product of this hard work is the excellent care provided by dedicated professionals when we are in need of medical assistance.

Dr. Rolando RiveraBecoming a urologist requires a special kind of person. Urology is one of the more challenging specialties a doctor can choose. Urological problems are broad and can encompass issues ranging from urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, vaginal prolapse and kidney stones to the advanced realm of pelvic surgery. Urologists are required to have a large skill set in order to take care of their patients.

Although the extensive field of urology requires a great deal of work, it is also very rewarding. Because of the wide range of issues within this specialization, patients might have to see a urologist many times in their lives. This gives urologists a chance to build relationships with their patients and learn their unique medical needs over time. Urologists have the opportunity to create an almost primary care type relationship with their patients, which is rare in fields of specialty medicine.

The wide spectrum of needs in urology also works to the advantage of the urologist. There are some fields of medicine that can become routine over years of practice, where patients come in with the same set of issues, needing the same kind of treatment. This does not happen in urology. With a wide range of medical issues, requiring patient-specific treatment, the phyisican enjoys a greater degree of variety at work. And with treatment options ranging from prescriptions to various levels of invasive surgery, urology is consistently an interesting and diverse field of medicine for those who practice it.

One doctor who enjoys this ever changing field of medicine is Dr. Rolando Rivera. After shadowing a urology student and friend in college, Dr. Rivera knew that this was the medical specialty for him. And after graduating with honors from the University of Puerto Rico, he started a rewarding and cutting-edge career. Improving the quality of life for his patients has been the goal that motivates Dr. Rivera to provide the best care possible.

For those who are willing to put in the long hours and hard work required to become a urologist, the reward is a lifetime of making a difference in people’s lives while also never being bored with their profession. For anyone in need of seeing a dedicated urologist like Dr. Rivera, he and many more great doctors can be found at the Advanced Urology Institute. Their team of qualified and experienced specialists can help you with any concerns related to urological conditions. For more information, visit an Advanced Urology Institute location near you.

TRANSCRIPTION: 

I’m Rolando Rivera and I’m board certified in urology and female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery with Advanced Urology Institute. 

I actually wanted to be a pilot, but I had glasses and back then pilots didn’t have glasses so my brother is a physician and I got interested in medicine early. I went to the University of Puerto Rico for medical school and I did my residency in the University of Florida in Gainesville.

I actually got exposed to urology fairly early. I think I was a first year medical student and one of my brother’s classmates was a urology resident. I was walking down the hallway one day on a Saturday and he stopped me and said, hey, what are you doing? I said, I’m not doing much and he invited me to see one of his cases and after that everything had to compare to urology. I was hooked, yeah. You know, the most interesting thing about urology is of all the surgical subspecialties or of many of the surgical subspecialties is the one specialty where you can be very broad. I mean, I have relationships with patients that I’ve seen since I came into town 13 years ago so you can follow patients for a long, long time and have almost a primary care type relationship with your patients. 

You can be very obviously invasive and we do a lot of procedures and surgery and it’s open surgery, endoscopic surgery, very broad field and you never get really bored because it’s so diverse.

REFERENCES: 

Becoming a Urologist – Dr. Arash Rafiei

Requirements To Become a Urologist

Like Dr. Arash Rafiei, all urologists are required to complete at least three years of college before they enter medical school. Most students complete four years of college with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry or Biology. After graduation from medical school, the urologist-in-training will complete a residency at a hospital, usually one with a specialty in urology. The residency is a minimum of five years. Time during residency may be split in some programs as two years in general surgery residency and three years in urology. Board certification takes another two to five years. So, effectively, urologists can expect to spend 13 years in study or residency before board certification.

Selecting Your Urologist

Dr. Arash Rafiei - Orange CIty, FLWhen choosing a urologist, you can specify that you would like a board certified doctor for your urology treatment. Make sure you write down all your questions for the doctor, and seek someone who will take into consideration your individual preferences. Ascertain that the facility and medical staff keep up to date on the latest technologies, such as minimally invasive techniques, as well as proven treatment guidelines.

What does a Urologist do?

Urologists are medical doctors who specialize in the male and female genitourinary tract, including the urinary bladder, urethra, kidneys, adrenal glands and male reproductive organs. They often diagnose and treat male fertility, prostate cancer, and receive ongoing training in other medical and surgical problems related to these organs.
Advanced Urology Institute is a center for excellence in urology with board-certified specialists to treat all areas of this field. If you need an appointment with a urologist in Orange City, Florida, our team specializes in:

  • prostate cancer treatment
  • kidney stones
  • problems with the bladder, including overactive bladder
  • prostatitis
  • erectile dysfunction (ED)
  • urinary tract infections
  • general urology
  • and other urology conditions.

Dr. Arash Rafiei, MD is board certified and a member of the American Urological Association, the American College of Surgeons, and the Iranian American Medical Association. For more information, call the office of Dr. Rafiei at (386) 774-2121 or call one of our many Advanced Urology Institute locations. Our doctors will answer your questions and deliver the best service and care based on your needs.